The Federal Government has elevated flood prevention to the level of a national security priority with the unveiling of a new Anticipatory Action Framework on Floods (AAFF), to shift the country’s disaster management approach from reactive to proactive, coordinated early response.
This was as the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) warned that over 100 major roads, including the Okene/Lokoja/Abuja and Birnin Kebbi/Bunza corridors, may face severe flood disruption across 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before August 5.
The AAFF, developed by the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF), features a blend of scientific and traditional data-gathering methods, early warning triggers and a consolidated budget designed to build resilience in flood-prone states and communities across the country.
Vice President Kashim Shettima received the draft framework and consolidated budget yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Emphasising that disaster management must be approached as a matter of national security, he urged stakeholders to adopt a scientific, preventive mindset.
“Disasters are security issues,” Shettima stated. “Over the years, we have mostly been reactive instead of practising proactive disaster management. By seizing this initiative and believing in science, we have followed due process to map out a roadmap.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the leadership to prioritise disaster preparedness and lauded the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for its role in coordinating the initiative.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, described the framework as a major policy shift.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, echoed the urgency of early response, warning that while natural disasters were often beyond human control, preparation and response determine the scale of the impact.
Other economically strategic routes identified by NIHSA include the Ibi/Wukari Road, along with key transport infrastructure in Lagos, the FCT and parts of the Niger Delta region.
The alert, signed by NIHSA’s Director-General, Umar Mohammad, disclosed that at least 739 communities and 162 local councils were at high risk of flooding during the period.
The warning aligns with NIHSA’s 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released in April based on prevailing hydrological patterns and rainfall forecasts.
NIHSA cautioned that widespread flooding could disrupt the movement of passengers and goods, posing serious risks to trade routes, logistics systems, and food supply chains across affected regions.
It further stated that the intensity and impact of the flooding would vary across regions, urging vulnerable communities to take early precautions to minimise potential losses.
The agency called on emergency management stakeholders to activate preparedness and response protocols, while advising residents in high-risk areas to implement evacuation plans without delay.
The flood alert covers a broad geographical spread, with the affected states, including Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and the FCT.
